Globally, the number of international tourists increased by 6.4% in the first half of this year. Thus, tourist destinations worldwide were visited by approximately 600 million tourists between January and June 2017, 36 million more than in the same period last year.
“The first half of 2017 demonstrates healthy growth in an increasingly flexible and dynamic tourism market, including a solid recovery for some destinations that were affected by security issues last year,” stated UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.
Mediterranean destinations benefited from particularly strong growth in the first half, including Egypt, Tunisia, and Turkey, which suffered from terrorist attacks in recent years.
According to the UNWTO, the number of international tourists grew by 12% to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, by 8.9% to the Middle East, and by 16% to North Africa.
For the full year 2017, the UNWTO estimates an increase in international tourist numbers of 3% – 4%.
In 2016, the number of international tourists worldwide increased by 3.9% compared to 2015, reaching 1.23 billion people.
Source: Capital
Frequently Asked Questions
By how much did international tourism grow in the first half of 2017?
International tourist numbers increased by 6.4% in H1 2017, reaching approximately 600 million visitors worldwide.
Which regions saw the most significant recovery in tourism?
North Africa saw a 16% increase, while Southern Europe and the Mediterranean grew by 12%, showing recovery in destinations like Egypt and Turkey.
What is the tourism growth forecast for the full year 2017?
The UNWTO estimates that the total number of international tourists will grow by 3% to 4% by the end of 2017.